Isle of Man Billiards and Snooker Association’s Champion of Champions commences today (Monday) at the Cue Zone.

This prestigious invitational event is once again kindly sponsored by Fowler & Co Chartered Accountants.

A field of 16 players will compete, including the current and many former island and Masters champions, winners and runners-up of individual competitions during the 2020-21 season and topped up by the highest-ranked players from this season’s ranking list.

With Calum Gardner having to withdraw, Chris Dagnall steps in as next best from the ranking list. John Kennish has monopolised the event in recent years and is looking to claim the title for a fourth consecutive year.

Making their debuts will be Brandon Forrester, Johnny Hogg and Ste MacDonald.

The players have been seeded and split into four groups which individually will be played out on a best-of-five-frame semi-final and final basis.

The group winners will then progress into the main best-of-nine semi-finals held on Saturday, December 18 at 1pm: Group three v Group four; and 7pm - Group one v Group two. The final - a best-of-15 contest - will be played on December 19 over two sessions at 1pm and 7.15pm.

Group match times: December 13 at 7pm - Group two - Darryl Hill v Jamie Wilson and Peter Crellin v John Spellman. December 14 at 7pm - Group four - John Kennish v Jonny Hogg and Paul Smith v Geoff Hall. December 16 at 7pm - Group three - Steve Finnegan v Chris Dagnall and Sean Corkish v Ste MacDonald. December 17 at 7pm - Group one - Tom Miller v Paul Smyth and Peter Kirkham v Brandon Forrester.

Groups one and four look the toughest to call and, while Kennish and Corkish would normally be expected to come through their respective groups, Kennish’s one appearance in the league is the only time either have been sighted in competitive action, so how sharp they will be is hard to tell.

That said, a Hill v Kennish final has got to be the prediction to fight it out for the trophy and £160 first prize.

Spectators are most welcome and the group finals, semi-final and final proper will be live streamed on the association’s Facebook page. Good luck to all players.